File #: Int 0845-2026    Version: * Name: Requiring the department of transportation to install lighting under elevated train lines.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
On agenda: 4/16/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of transportation to install lighting under elevated train lines
Sponsors: Shanel Thomas-Henry , Ty Hankerson, Justin E. Sanchez, Oswald J. Feliz, Lincoln Restler, Frank Morano
Council Member Sponsors: 6
Summary: This bill would require that the Department of Transportation assess streets and sidewalks underneath elevated train infrastructure to determine if lighting is needed. In areas where the Department determines that lighting is needed, the Department would be required to install lighting in that area within 3 years. Subject to appropriations and necessary approvals, such lighting would need to be of a non-standard, distinctive design. The Department would be required to provide a report on the successes and failures of installation.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 845, 2. Int. No. 845, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. April 16, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 845

 

By Council Members Thomas-Henry, Hankerson, J. Sanchez, Feliz, Restler and Morano

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of transportation to install lighting under elevated train lines

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subchapter 3 of chapter 1 of title 19 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-188.4 to read as follows:

§ 19-188.4 Distinctive lighting under elevated train lines. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Distinctive lighting. The term “distinctive lighting” means a lighting fixture that is not of a type and design pre-approved by the art commission for usage on sidewalks or streets. 

Sufficient lighting. The term “sufficient lighting” means that the average level of illumination, as measured at the level of the walking or driving surface along the entire length of a sidewalk or street on a block, is at least 1 footcandle (11 lux).

b. Safety assessment. No later than 1 year after the effective date of the local law that added this section, the commissioner shall assess all streets and sidewalks under elevated train lines operated by the New York city transit authority, the metropolitan transportation authority, or any subsidiary of either such authority to determine whether they lack sufficient lighting and shall post on the department’s website, and submit to the speaker of the council and the mayor, a report regarding the results of such assessment. The commissioner shall include in such report a description of the methodology used to conduct such assessment.

c. Installation. If the commissioner determines that a street or sidewalk under such an elevated train line lacks sufficient lighting, the department shall install lighting fixtures capable of providing sufficient lighting on such street or sidewalk no later than 3 years after submission of the report required by subdivision b of this section. Subject to appropriations and the receipt of any approvals required by law, all lighting fixtures installed pursuant to this subdivision shall be distinctive lighting. Nothing in this section shall be construed to:

1. Require the department to take any action that would interfere with the activities of the New York city transit authority, the metropolitan transportation authority, or any subsidiary of either such authority, or with such authorities’ or subsidiaries’ control or use of their property; or

2. Require lighting to be installed on the property of the New York city transit authority, the metropolitan transportation authority, or any subsidiary of either such authority.

d. Reporting. No later than April 1, 2030, and no later than April 1 of each year thereafter for 10 years, the commissioner shall post on the department’s website, and submit to the speaker of the council and the mayor, a report regarding lighting installations completed by the department pursuant to this section, disaggregated by calendar year.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.

 

TIW

LS #21509

4/13/2026 9:54 AM